U.S. patent application number 16/029088 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-02 for semiconductor memory system with resistive variable memory device and driving method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SK hynix Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is SK hynix Inc.. Invention is credited to Do-Sun HONG, Seung-Gyu JEONG, Jung-Hyun KWON, Won-Gyu SHIN.
Application Number | 20190130972 16/029088 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66244199 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-02 |
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20190130972/US20190130972A1-20190502-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190130972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JEONG; Seung-Gyu ; et
al. |
May 2, 2019 |
SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY SYSTEM WITH RESISTIVE VARIABLE MEMORY DEVICE
AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A semiconductor memory system including a resistive variable
memory device and a driving method thereof are provided. The
semiconductor memory system includes a memory controller including
a scheduler configured to determine a generation period of a write
command; a memory device including a memory cell array, the memory
device being configured to write data input from the memory
controller in the memory cell array in response to the write
command; and a data determination circuit configured to output a
change signal to the scheduler when all logic levels of the input
data are equal to each other, the scheduler changing the generation
period of the write command in response to the change signal.
Inventors: |
JEONG; Seung-Gyu; (Icheon,
KR) ; KWON; Jung-Hyun; (Seoul, KR) ; SHIN;
Won-Gyu; (Icheon, KR) ; HONG; Do-Sun; (Icheon,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SK hynix Inc. |
Icheon |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SK hynix Inc.
Icheon
KR
|
Family ID: |
66244199 |
Appl. No.: |
16/029088 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11C 7/1006 20130101;
G11C 2213/72 20130101; G06F 3/0659 20130101; G06F 3/0611 20130101;
G11C 7/222 20130101; G11C 13/0004 20130101; G11C 13/0097 20130101;
G06F 3/0679 20130101; G11C 29/36 20130101; G11C 13/0061 20130101;
G11C 2207/229 20130101; G11C 29/12015 20130101; G11C 7/22 20130101;
G11C 11/5678 20130101; G11C 29/46 20130101; G11C 13/0069
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G11C 13/00 20060101
G11C013/00; G06F 3/06 20060101 G06F003/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0141358 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A semiconductor memory system comprising: a memory controller
including a scheduler configured to determine a generation period
of a write command; and a memory device including a memory cell
array, the memory device being configured to write data input from
the memory controller in the memory cell array in response to the
write command, wherein the system further comprises a data
determination circuit configured to output a change signal to the
scheduler when all logic levels of the input data are equal to each
other, the scheduler changing the generation period of the write
command in response to the change signal.
14. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, wherein the data
determination circuit is included in the memory device, and wherein
the data determination circuit includes a reset determination
circuit configured to output the change signal in response to a
reset recovery time when each of the input data has a first logic
level.
15. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, wherein the data
determination circuit is included in the memory device, and wherein
the data determination circuit includes a set determination circuit
configured to output the change signal in response to a reset
recovery time when each of the input data has a second logic
level.
16. The semiconductor memory system of claim 15, wherein data
determination circuit further includes: a signal selection circuit
configured to transfer inverted input data to the memory cell array
in response to the change signal output from the set determination
circuit; and an information storage circuit configured to store
information indicating that the inverted input data has been
transferred to the memory cell array in response to the change
signal.
17. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, wherein the data
determination circuit is included in the memory device, and wherein
the data determination circuit includes: a reset determination
circuit configured to output a first change signal when each of the
input data has a first logic level; a set determination circuit
configured to output a second change signal when each of the input
data has a second logic level; and a change signal output circuit
configured to output the change signal in response to a reset
recovery time when any one of the first and second change signals
is enabled.
18. The semiconductor memory system of claim 17, wherein the data
determination circuit further includes: a signal selection circuit
configured to transfer inverted input data to the memory cell array
in response to the second change signal output from the set
determination circuit; and an information storage circuit
configured to store information indicating that the inverted input
data has been transferred to the memory cell array in response to
the second change signal.
19. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, wherein the data
determination circuit includes a selective blocking circuit
configured to, when the input data are currently input data, block
the transfer of the currently input data to the memory cell array
when previously input data stored in the memory cell array are
identical with the currently input data.
20. The semiconductor memory system of claim 19, wherein the data
determination circuit further includes: a buffer circuit configured
to temporarily store the previously input data; and a comparison
circuit configured to output a comparison signal by comparing the
previously input data stored in the buffer circuit and the
currently input data, and wherein the selective blocking circuit is
selectively driven in response to the comparison signal.
21. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, wherein the
scheduler includes a time selection circuit configured to receive a
first write recovery time and a second write recovery time, and to
output the write command with the second write recovery time when
the change signal is enabled, the change signal being enabled when
all the logic levels of the input data are equal to each other, the
second write recovery time being shorter than the first write
recovery time.
22. The semiconductor memory system of claim 21, wherein the
scheduler further includes: a timing check circuit configured to
change the generation period of the write command based on a signal
output from the time selection circuit; and a command generation
circuit configured to output the write command in response to an
output signal of the timing check circuit.
23. The semiconductor memory system of claim 13, further comprising
a data generation circuit configured to generate the input data
having logic levels equal to each other in response to a test mode
signal generated from the memory controller.
24. The semiconductor memory system of claim 23, wherein the data
generation circuit is included in the memory device.
25. The semiconductor memory system of claim 23, wherein the data
generation circuit is included in the memory controller.
26. A semiconductor memory system comprising: a dual inline memory
module (DIMM) including at least one phase-change memory module,
the phase-change memory module being configured to have a set
resistance state and a reset resistance state and to perform a
memory operation; and a memory controller configured to transfer a
write command and input data to the phase-change memory module,
wherein the system further comprises a data determination circuit
configured to provide a change signal to the memory controller when
all logic levels of the input data are equal to each other, the
memory controller controlling a generation period of the write
command input to the phase-change memory module in response to the
change signal.
27. The semiconductor memory system of claim 26, wherein the memory
controller sets a default of the generation period of the write
command to be a first crystallization time, the first
crystallization time being a time the phase-change memory module
takes to change into the set resistance state, and wherein the
memory controller includes a scheduler configured to change the
generation period of the write command to be a second
crystallization time when the change signal is input, the second
crystallization being a time the phase-change memory module takes
to change into the reset resistance state.
28. The semiconductor memory system of claim 26, wherein the data
determination circuit is included in the memory device.
29. A driving method of a semiconductor memory system, the method
comprising: providing input data to be written in a plurality of
memory cells in a memory device, each of phase-change material
layers in the plurality of memory cells being in any of a set
resistance state and a reset resistance state when the input data
is written in the plurality of memory cells; and setting a
generation period of a write command based on a crystallization
time when all logic levels of the input data are equal to each
other, the crystallization time being a time the phase-change
material layer takes to be in the reset resistance state.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein when each of the input data has
a logic level corresponding to the set resistance state, inverted
input data are written in the plurality of memory cells in the
memory device, and wherein the method further comprises storing
information indicating that the inverted input data have been
stored in the plurality of memory cells.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119(a) to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2017-0141358,
filed on Oct. 27, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] Various embodiments generally relate to a semiconductor
system and a driving method thereof, and more particularly, to a
semiconductor memory system with a resistive variable memory device
including a phase-change resistive layer, and to a driving method
thereof.
2. Related Art
[0003] As memory devices with high capacity and low power
consumption have been demanded, research is being conducted on
next-generation memory devices that are non-volatile and that do
not require refresh operations.
[0004] Next-generation memory devices generally require the high
capacity of dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), the
non-volatile characteristic of flash memories, and the high speed
of static random access memories (SRAMs).
[0005] The next-generation memory devices may include variable
resistive memory devices such as a phase-change RAM (PCRAM), a nano
floating gate memory (NFGM), a polymer RAM (PoRAM), a magnetic RAM
(MRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), a resistive RAM (ReRAM), and
the like.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments relate to a semiconductor memory system with a
reduced operating time.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor
memory system may include: a data determination circuit configured
to output a change signal based on logic levels of input data; and
a scheduler configured to change a generation period of a write
command in response to the change signal.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor
memory system may include: a memory controller including a
scheduler configured to determine a generation period of a write
command; a memory device including a memory cell array, the memory
device being configured to write data input from the memory
controller in the memory cell array in response to the write
command; and a data determination circuit configured to output a
change signal to the scheduler when all logic levels of the input
data are equal to each other, the scheduler changing the generation
period of the write command in response to the change signal.
[0009] The data determination circuit may be included in the memory
device and the data determination circuit may include a reset
determination circuit configured to output the change signal in
response to a reset recovery time when each of the input data has a
first logic level.
[0010] The data determination circuit may be included in the memory
device and the data determination circuit may include a set
determination circuit configured to output the change signal in
response to a reset recovery time when each of the input data has a
second logic level.
[0011] The data determination circuit may be included in the memory
device and include a reset determination circuit configured to
output a first change signal when each of the input data has a
first logic level; a set determination circuit configured to output
a second change signal when each of the input data has a second
logic level; and a change signal output circuit configured to
output the change signal in response to a reset recovery time when
any one of the first and second change signals is enabled.
[0012] The data determination circuit may further include a
selective blocking circuit configured to, when the input data are
currently input data, block the transfer of the currently input
data to the memory cell array when previously input data stored in
the memory cell array are identical with the currently input
data.
[0013] The semiconductor memory system may further include a data
generation circuit configured to generate to generate the input
data having logic levels equal to each other in response to a test
mode signal generated from the memory controller.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a semiconductor
memory system may include: a dual inline memory module (DIMM)
including at least one phase-change memory module, the phase-change
memory module being configured to have a set resistance state and a
reset resistance state and to perform a memory operation; a memory
controller configured to transfer a write command and input data to
the phase-change memory module; and a data determination circuit
configured to provide a change signal to the memory controller when
all logic levels of the input data are equal to each other, the
memory controller controlling a generation period of the write
command input to the phase-change memory module in response to the
change signal.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a driving method
of a semiconductor memory system may include: providing input data
to be written in a plurality of memory cells in a memory device,
each of phase-change material layers in the plurality of memory
cells being in any of a set resistance state and a reset resistance
state when the input data is written in the plurality of memory
cells; and setting a generation period of a write command based on
a crystallization time when all logic levels of the input data are
equal to each other, the crystallization time being a time the
phase-change material layer takes to be in the reset resistance
state.
[0016] These and other features, aspects, and embodiments are
described below in the section entitled "DETAILED DESCRIPTION"
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
subject matter of the present disclosure will be more clearly
understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
semiconductor memory system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a memory device
included in the semiconductor memory system of FIG. 1 according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a memory cell array
of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIGS. 4 to 6 are circuit diagrams illustrating modified
examples of a memory cell of FIG. 3, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a read/write circuit
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a memory controller
and a memory device in a semiconductor memory system according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a set pulse and a reset pulse
of a phase-change material layer;
[0025] FIGS. 10 to 12 are schematic block diagrams, each of which
illustrates a coupling position of a reset determination circuit,
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating a reset
determination circuit according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a scheduler in a
memory controller according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIGS. 15A and 15B are a timing diagram illustrating a write
recovery time according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a
semiconductor memory system according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit of FIG. 17;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram illustrating a set
determination circuit according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a scheduler of a
memory controller according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit of FIG. 19;
[0036] FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to still another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit of FIG. 23;
[0038] FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to still another embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 26 is a circuit diagram illustrating a change signal
output circuit of FIG. 25 according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0040] FIGS. 27 and 28 are flowcharts illustrating driving methods
of the data determination circuit of FIG. 25 according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a memory controller
and a memory device in a semiconductor memory system according to
another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0042] FIG. 30 is a block diagram illustrating a memory controller
and a memory device in a semiconductor memory system according to
still another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0043] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of the
semiconductor memory system illustrated in each of FIGS. 29 and 30
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. The drawings are schematic illustrations of various
embodiments. As such, embodiments include variations with respect
to the configurations and shapes of the illustrations. Thus, the
described embodiments should not be construed as being limited to
the particular configurations and shapes illustrated herein but may
include deviations in configurations and shapes, which do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as
defined in the appended claims.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
semiconductor memory system 1000 according to an embodiment.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, the semiconductor memory system 1000
may include a host computing device 100 and a plurality of dual
in-line memory modules (DIMMs) 200-1 to 200-n, n being a positive
integer. The plurality of DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n may be electrically
coupled to the host computing device 100 via command buses 130-1 to
130-n, data channels 140-1 to 140-n, and address buses 145-1 to
145-n. For example, the DIMM 200-1 is electrically coupled to the
host computing device 100 via the command bus 130-1, the data
channel 140-1, and the address bus 145-1.
[0047] The host computing device 100 may include an interface 120,
an operating system (OS) 150, at least one application 160, and
circuity 170. The circuity 170 may include at least one processing
element 180 and a memory controller 190. The processing element 180
may be a processor or a processor core, and may be electrically
coupled to the memory controller 190.
[0048] The host computing device 100 may be implemented with any of
a personal computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a
tablet, a server, a server array, a server farm, a web server, a
network server, an Internet server, a workstation, a mini computer,
a main frame computer, a super computer, network equipment, web
equipment, a distribution system, a multiprocessor system, a
processor base system, and the like.
[0049] The DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n of FIG. 1 may include a plurality
of memory devices 300-1 to 300-n. FIG. 1 illustrates that a
plurality of memory devices are mounted on each of the DIMMs 200-1
to 200-n. For example, a plurality of memory devices 300-1 are
mounted on the DIMM 200-1.
[0050] In various embodiments, at least one volatile memory device
and at least one non-volatile memory device may be integrated in
each of the DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n in various forms. However,
embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0051] The memory devices 300-1 to 300-n may be, for example, PCRAM
modules. The PCRAM modules may include a three-dimensional (3D)
cross-point array, and may have a 3D package form.
[0052] The memory controller 190 in the circuity 170 of the host
computing device 100 may receive a read request READ or a write
request WRITE from the application 160 or the OS 150 and provide an
address, a command, data, and a control signal to the memory
devices 300-1 to 300-n supported by the DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n. For
example, the memory controller 190 may transfer the command, the
data, and the address to the memory devices 300-1 to 300-n mounted
on the DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n through the interface 120 and through
the command buses 130-1 to 130-n, the data channels 140-1 to 140-n,
and the address buses 145-1 to 145-n that are coupled to the DIMMs
200-1 to 200-n.
[0053] A command bus, a data channel, and an address bus coupled to
the same memory device may be among the command buses 130-1 to
130-n, the data channels 140-1 to 140-n, and the address buses
145-1 to 145-n. The command bus, the data channel, and the address
bus that are coupled to the same memory device may share at least
one electrical signal line.
[0054] The memory controller 190 may input and output data to and
from the memory devices 300-1 to 300-n in response to the read and
write requests READ and WRITE. The memory controller 190 may
provide various control signals to the memory devices 300-1 to
300-n.
[0055] The interface 120 may be configured to use a parallel or
serial communication protocol related to at least one semiconductor
memory technique such as double data rate 5 (DDR5), low power
double data rate 5 (LPDDR5), DDR4, LPDDR4, wide I/O (WIO2), high
bandwidth memory DRAM (HBM2) or HBM, serial advanced technology
attachment (SATA), peripheral component Interconnect express
(PCIe), universal flash storage (UFS), non-volatile DIMM (NVDIMM),
or cache coherent Interconnect for accelerators (CCIX).
[0056] The DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n may be configured in a single type
or a dual type. For example, the DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n may be
implemented in various types such as a registered DIMM (RDIMM), a
load reduced DIMM (LRDIMM), a fully buffered DIMM (FB-DIMM), an
unbuffered DIMM (UDIMM), or a small outline DIMM (SODIMM).
[0057] The DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n may include first surfaces and
second surfaces. In an example, PCRAM modules may be mounted on
both the first and second surfaces of the DIMMs 200-1 to 200-n. In
another example, PCRAM modules may be mounted on the first
surfaces, and volatile memory modules or non-volatile memory
modules may be mounted on the second surfaces.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a memory device 300
included in the semiconductor memory system of FIG. 1 according to
an embodiment.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 2, the memory device 300 may include a
memory cell array 310 and a control circuit block 320.
[0060] The memory cell array 310 may include a plurality of first
signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines, and a plurality
of memory cells. The memory cell array 310 may have a cross-point
array architecture. The plurality of memory cells may be disposed
in respective intersection regions between the plurality of first
signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines, and may be
coupled between the plurality of first signal lines and the
plurality of second signal lines. For example, the first signal
lines may be bit lines, and the second signal lines may be word
lines. In another example, the first signal lines may be the word
lines, and the second signal lines may be the bit lines.
[0061] FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the memory cell
array 310 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the memory cell array 310 may include a
plurality of word lines WL1 to WLm, a plurality of bit lines BL1 to
BLn, and a plurality of memory cells MC, m and n being positive
integers. The number of word lines, bit lines, and memory cells may
be varied according to the integration degree of a memory device
including the memory cell array 310. The memory cell array 310 may
be implemented in a two-dimensional (2D) form or a 3D form.
[0063] Each of the memory cells MC may include a selection element
S and a variable resistor R.
[0064] The selection element S may be coupled between a first end
of the variable resistor R and one of the plurality of word lines
WL1 to WLm. A second end of the variable resistor R may be coupled
to one of the plurality of bit lines BL1 to BLn. However, in
another embodiment, the selection element S may be coupled to the
bit line BL, and the variable resistor R may be coupled to the word
line WL.
[0065] The selection element S may control a current supply to the
variable resistor R according to voltages that are applied to the
word line WL and the bit line BL. In an embodiment, the selection
element S may include a diode or a MOS transistor. In another
embodiment, an ovonic threshold switch (OTS) including a
phase-change memory layer may be used as the selection element
S.
[0066] The variable resistor R may be changed to one among a
plurality of resistance states in response to an electrical pulse
applied to the bit line BL. The variable resistor R may include a
phase-change material layer or a resistance change material layer,
which has a crystalline state changing according to an amount of
current applied thereto. The phase-change material layer may
include a compound in which two or more elements are combined. For
example, the compound may be a compound in which two elements are
combined, such as any of GaSb, InSb, InSe, Sb.sub.2Te.sub.3, and
GeTe; a compound in which three elements are combined, such as any
of GeSbTe, GaSeTe, InSbTe, SnSb2Te.sub.4, and InSbGe; a compound in
which four elements are combined, such as any of AgInSbTe,
(GeSn)SbTe, GeSb(SeTe), and Te.sub.81Ge.sub.15Sb.sub.2S.sub.2; or
the like.
[0067] The phase-change material layer may have an amorphous state
having a relatively high resistance and a crystalline state having
a relatively low resistance. A phase of the phase-change material
layer may be changed according to Joule heating, which is generated
by passing a current through the phase-change material layer, and a
time that the phase-change material layer is cooled. The
temperature of the phase-change material may be based on an amount
of current flowing through the phase-change material layer.
[0068] For example, each of the memory cells MC may be a
single-level cell which stores 1 bit of data. In this example, the
memory cell MC may have one of two resistance states according to
the data stored therein. In another example, each of the memory
cells MC may be a multi-level cell which stores 2 or more bits of
data. In this example, the memory cell MC may have one of four or
more resistance states according to the data stored therein.
[0069] FIGS. 4 to 6 are circuit diagrams illustrating modified
examples of the memory cell MC of FIG. 3.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, a memory cell MC1 may include a
variable resistor Ra coupled between a word line WL and a bit line
BL. The variable resistor Ra may selectively operate according to a
voltage difference between the word line WL and the bit line
BL.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, a memory cell MC2 may include a
variable resistor Rb and a bidirectional diode Db, which are
coupled in series between a bit line BL and a word line WL. The
bidirectional diode Db may act as a selection element. The
bidirectional diode Db may be coupled between the bit line BL and
the variable resistor Rb. The variable resistor Rb may be coupled
between the bidirectional diode Db and the word line WL. The
bidirectional diode Db and the variable resistor Rb may be
exchanged in position between the bit line BL and the word line WL.
When the memory cell MC2 is not selected for a read or write
operation, a leakage current flowing in the non-selected memory
cell MC2 may be blocked by the bidirectional diode Db.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 6, a memory cell MC3 may include a
variable resistor Rc and a 3-phase switch S2. The 3-phase switch S2
may supply or block a current to the variable resistor Rc according
to a voltage of a word line WL. The 3-phase switch S2 may include a
transistor or an OTS switch. When the 3-phase switch S2 is used as
a selection element, a source line SL may be further included to
control voltage levels at both ends of the variable resistor Rc.
The 3-phase switch S2 and the variable resistor Rc may be exchanged
in position.
[0073] Referring back to FIG. 3, the memory cell array 310 may
include a plurality of pages PAGE. A page PAGE may include a set of
memory cells that are accessible using one row address, since the
page PAGE is coupled to the same signal line (for example, a word
line). Each of the plurality of pages PAGE may include a set of
memory cells, and the number of memory cells included in a page
PAGE may be changed according to various embodiments.
[0074] Referring back to FIG. 2, the control circuit block 320 of
the memory device 300 may include a control logic 330, a voltage
generation circuit 340, a row decoder 350, a column decoder 360,
and a read/write circuit 400.
[0075] The control logic 330 may generate various control signals
for writing data DATA in the memory cell array 310 or reading data
DATA from the memory cell array 310, based on a command CMD, an
address ADDR, and a control signal CTRL received from the memory
controller 190 of the host computing device 100 shown in FIG. 1.
The various control signals may be provided to the read/write
circuit 400, the voltage generation circuit 340, the row decoder
350, and the column decoder 360. Accordingly, the control logic 330
may control an overall operation of the memory device 300.
[0076] The control logic 330 may provide operation control signals
CRTL_op for controlling an operation of the read/write circuit 400.
For example, the operation control signals CRTL_op may include a
write enable signal, a read enable signal, a sensing enable signal,
a discharge enable signal, a precharge enable signal, and the like.
The control logic 330 may generate a voltage control signal
CTRL_vol and provide the generated voltage control signal CTRL_vol
to the voltage generation circuit 340. The control logic 330 may
provide a row address X_ADDR to the row decoder 350 and provide a
column address Y_ADDR to the column decoder 360.
[0077] The voltage generation circuit 340 may generate various
types of voltages for performing a write operation, a read
operation, and an erase operation based on the voltage control
signals CTRL_vol, and may provide the generated voltages to the
memory cell array 310. For example, the voltage generation circuit
340 may generate a word line driving voltage V.sub.WL for driving a
plurality of word lines WL and generate a bit line driving voltage
V.sub.BL for driving a plurality of bit lines BL. The word line
driving voltage V.sub.WL and/or the bit line driving voltage
V.sub.BL may include a reset write voltage, a set write voltage, an
inhibit voltage, a read voltage, a verify voltage, and the
like.
[0078] The row decoder 350 may be configured to activate a word
line selected from among the plurality of word lines WL in response
to the row address X_ADDR received from the control logic 330.
[0079] The column decoder 360 may be configured to activate a bit
line selected from among the plurality of bit lines BL in response
to the column address Y_ADDR received from the control logic
330.
[0080] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the read/write
circuit 400 of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment.
[0081] The read/write circuit 400 may be configured to perform a
data read operation and a data write operation of the memory device
300. The read/write circuit 400 may include a write driver (WD)
410, a read driver (RD) 420, a sense amplifier (S/A) 430, and a
page buffer circuit (PB) 440.
[0082] The write driver 410 may be coupled to the plurality of bit
lines BL and may provide a write pulse to a selected bit line in
response to a write command from the memory controller 190
illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, data DATA provided from the
memory controller 190 may be stored in a selected memory cell MC,
which is coupled to the selected bit line. Here, the write pulse
may be a current pulse or a voltage pulse.
[0083] In a write operation, a resistance value of a variable
resistor R of the selected memory cell MC in the memory cell array
310 may be determined according to a logic level of the data DATA.
In an embodiment, when the variable resistor R includes a
phase-change material layer, the variable resistor R may have a set
state and a reset state.
[0084] The read driver 420 may be coupled to the plurality of bit
lines BL and provide a read pulse for reading data DATA stored in
the selected memory cell MC coupled to the selected bit line. The
read driver 420 may be configured to output the data DATA stored in
the selected memory cell MC to the memory controller 190 when a
read command is input from the memory controller 190. For example,
the read pulse may have a voltage level (or a current level) that
does not change a resistance state of the phase-change material
layer.
[0085] The sense amplifier 430 may be configured to sense the
resistance value of the selected memory cell MC. The sense
amplifier 430 may be electrically coupled to a sensing node of the
selected bit line and sense the resistance value of the selected
memory cell MC by comparing a voltage on the sensing node and a
reference voltage.
[0086] The page buffer circuit 440 may be coupled to the memory
cell array 310 through the plurality of bit lines BL. For example,
the page buffer circuit 440 may receive input data DATA from the
memory controller 190 and provide the input data DATA to the memory
cell array 310. In another example, the page buffer circuit 440 may
read out data DATA from the memory cell array 310 and transfer the
read data DATA to the memory controller 190. In a read operation,
the page buffer circuit 440 may temporarily store a sensing result.
In an embodiment, the page buffer circuit 440 may perform a
function of the sense amplifier 430, and thus the sense amplifier
430 may be omitted. The page buffer circuit 440 may include a
plurality of page buffers PB corresponding to the plurality of bit
lines BL, respectively.
[0087] The read/write circuit 400 having the above-described
configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 may receive the various
operation control signals CTRL_op from the control logic 330
illustrated in FIG. 2 and transfer a pass/fail signal P/F
determined by a read result of the read data DATA to the control
logic 330.
[0088] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a memory controller
190 and a memory device 300 in a semiconductor memory system
according to an embodiment.
[0089] Referring to FIG. 8, the memory device 300 may include a
data determination circuit 500 that is configured to generate a
change signal CT_change according to levels of data DATA input from
the memory controller 190. The memory controller 190 may include a
scheduler 195 that is configured to control a command generation
period.
[0090] The data determination circuit 500 may generate the change
signal CT_change when the levels of the input data DATA are equal
to each other and transfer the change signal CT_change to the
scheduler 195. The scheduler 195 may change a generation period of
a write command WC in response to the change signal CT_change and
provide the write command WC, which is generated with the changed
generation period, to the memory device 300.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a set pulse and a reset pulse
of a phase-change material layer.
[0092] As is well-known, a phase-change material layer included in
a memory cell of a PCRAM may have a set state or a reset state
according to a logic level of data DATA stored in the memory cell.
For example, when the data DATA is "0 (low)," the phase-change
material layer may have a crystalline state when it is in the "set
state." As illustrated in FIG. 9, the crystalline state of the
phase-change material layer may be obtained by melting the
phase-change material layer with a relatively low-temperature and
slowly cooling down the melted phase-change material layer.
[0093] When the data DATA is "1 (high)," the phase-change material
layer may have an amorphous state when it is in the "reset state."
The amorphous state of the phase-change material layer may be
obtained by melting the phase-change material layer with a
relatively high-temperature and rapidly quenching the melted
phase-change material layer as illustrated in FIG. 9. In FIG. 9,
the reference numeral Tm refers to a melting temperature of the
phase-change material layer.
[0094] In a conventional PCRAM, a phase-change operation is
performed by controlling only Joule heating, and the cooling time
is set to a long crystallization time t2 corresponding to the set
state.
[0095] However, in an embodiment, when all data to be stored in a
plurality of bit lines BL have, for example, a reset state, the
cooling time may be changed to a short crystallization time, e.g.,
t1 shown in FIG. 9, for forming the reset state. Accordingly, a
generation period of a write command, for example, a write recovery
time tWR, may be reduced by reducing the cooling time, i.e., the
crystallization time, and thus the phase-change time of the PCRAM
may be reduced. As a result, a write operation time of the PCRAM
may be reduced.
[0096] Referring back to FIG. 8, the data determination circuit 500
may include a reset determination circuit that is configured to
generate a change signal CT_change_R. The reset determination
circuit may be coupled to various parts of the memory device
300.
[0097] FIGS. 10 to 12 are schematic block diagrams illustrating
reset determination circuits 550a, 550b, and 550c, each of which is
included in the data determination circuit 500 of FIG. 8, according
to embodiments.
[0098] The reset determination circuit 550a of FIG. 10 may be
coupled between a read/write circuit 400 and the memory cell array
310 in the memory device 300 shown in FIG. 8. The reset
determination circuit 550a may receive data DATA<0:n>
provided to bit lines BL<0:n> from the read/write circuit 400
and may generate the change signal CT_change_R according to levels
of the data DATA<0:n>.
[0099] The reset determination circuit 550b of FIG. 11 may be
coupled between a write driver (WD) 410, which is within a
read/write circuit 400, and the memory cell array 310. The reset
determination circuit 550b may receive data DATA<0:n>
provided to bit lines BL<0:n> from the write driver 410 and
may generate the change signal CT_change_R according to levels of
the data DATA<0:n>.
[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the reset determination circuit
550c may be coupled between page buffers PBO to PBn in a page
buffer circuit 440, which is within a read/write circuit 400, and
the memory cell array 310. The reset determination circuit 550c may
receive data DATA<0:n> provided to bit lines BL<0:n>
from the page buffers PBO to PBn, and may generate the change
signal CT_change_R according to levels of the data
DATA<0:n>.
[0101] FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram illustrating a reset
determination circuit according to an embodiment.
[0102] As illustrated in FIG. 13, each of the reset determination
circuits 550a, 550b, and 550c illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12 may
include a combination of logic gates that are collectively similar
to an AND gate. For example, each of the reset determination
circuits 550a, 550b, and 550c may output the change signal
CT_change_R enabled to a high level when all levels of the input
data DATA<0:n> have a high level (for example, the reset
state). It is illustrated in FIG. 13 that each of the reset
determination circuits 550a, 550b, and 550c is a logic gate which
performs a logic AND operation. However, embodiments are not
limited thereto, and each of the reset determination circuits 550a,
550b, and 550c may include any combination of circuit elements that
are configured to perform the logic AND operation.
[0103] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a scheduler in a
memory controller according to an embodiment. FIGS. 15A and 15B are
a timing diagram illustrating a write recovery time according to an
embodiment.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 14, a scheduler 195 may include a time
selection circuit 1910, a timing check circuit 1920, and a command
generation circuit 1930.
[0105] The time selection circuit 1910 may receive a reset write
recovery time tWR_R and a set write recovery time tWR_S. The time
selection circuit 1910 may select, as a write recovery time tWR,
one of the reset write recovery time tWR_R and the set write
recovery time tWR_S in response to a change signal CT_change_R,
which is, e.g., output from the data determination circuit 500
shown in FIG. 8.
[0106] Here, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the write
recovery time tWR may be a time taken until a next write command is
generated from the generation of a current write command. That is,
the write recovery time tWR determines an interval between two
consecutive write commands. In general, when at least one of a
plurality of pieces of data has a low level corresponding to a set
state, the scheduler 195 may set, as a default, the set write
recovery time tWR_S by considering a crystallization time of the
set state as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B. That is, the write
recovery time tWR may be set to the set recovery time tWR_S,
regardless of whether a write state is a set state or a reset
state. In an embodiment, the reset write recovery time tWR_R may be
additionally defined based on a crystallization time of a reset
state, as illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B.
[0107] In an embodiment, the time selection circuit 1910 may
include a two-input multiplexer. The time selection circuit 1910
may be configured to select the reset write recovery time tWR_R
when the change signal CT_change_R is enabled to a high level.
[0108] The timing check circuit 1920 may determine the generation
timing of the write command based on the write recovery time tWR_S
or tWR_R output from the time selection circuit 1910. The timing
check circuit 1920 may include a counter circuit (not shown), and
may control an interval between two consecutive write commands by
driving the counter circuit differently using either the write
recovery time tWR_S or the write recovery time tWR_R, which is
output from the time selection circuit 1910.
[0109] The command generation circuit 1930 may be configured to
generate a write command WC or WC' shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B in
response to a timing control signal provided from the timing check
circuit 1920.
[0110] In an embodiment, when the set write recovery time tWR_S is
selected by the change signal CT_change_R, the command generation
circuit 1930 may generate the write command WC with an interval
corresponding to the set write recovery time tWR_S. On the other
hand, when the reset write recovery time tWR_R is selected by the
change signal CT_change_R, the command generation circuit 1930 may
generate the write command WC' with an interval corresponding to
the reset write recovery time tWR_R.
[0111] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a
semiconductor memory system according to an embodiment. The
operation of FIG. 16 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8
and 10 to 12.
[0112] Referring to FIG. 16, data DATA<0:n> may be input to
the memory device 300 (S1).
[0113] In an embodiment, before the data DATA<0:n> are
transferred to the bit lines BL<0:n>, the data
DATA<0:n> may be input to the reset determination circuit
550a, 550b, or 550c. The reset determination circuit 550a, 550b, or
550c may determine whether or not each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has a reset state, for example, whether each of the
input data DATA<0:n> has a high level (S2).
[0114] When each of the input data DATA<0:n> has the high
level, the reset determination circuit 550a, 550b, or 550c may
enable the change signal CT_change_R, and may provide the enabled
change signal CT_change_R to the scheduler 195 of the memory
controller 190.
[0115] The scheduler 195 may set the reset write recovery time
tWR_R as a write recovery time tWR in response to the enabled
change signal CT_change_R (S3). The scheduler 195 may generate a
write command WC' having a generation period that corresponds to
the reset write recovery time tWR_R (S4). Since the reset write
recovery time tWR_R is shorter than the set write recovery time
tWR_S, the write command WC' may have the write command generation
period, which is shorter than a generation period of a write
command WC, the write command WC corresponding to the set write
recovery time tWR_S.
[0116] In an embodiment, after the write command WC' is generated,
the data DATA<0:n> may be input to the bit lines
BL<0:n> according to the write command WC' (S5).
[0117] When the data DATA<0:n> have different logic levels
from each other or each of the data DATA<0:n> has a low level
corresponding to the set state, the reset determination circuit
550a, 550b or 550c may disable the change signal CT_change_R.
Accordingly, the scheduler 195 of the memory controller 190 may set
or maintain the set write recovery time tWR_S as the write recovery
time tWR (S6). The scheduler 195 may generate a write command WC
having a generation period that corresponds to the set write
recovery time tWR_S (S7).
[0118] The data DATA<0:n> may be input to the bit lines
BL<0:n> according to the write command WC (S8).
[0119] According to the embodiments, when each of the input data
DATA<0:n> to be stored in the memory cell array 310 has the
reset state, a write operation for the input data DATA<0:n>
may be performed according to the changed write command WC', which
is generated based on a shorter write recovery time corresponding
to the reset write recovery time tWR_R. Thus the total write
operation time of the memory device 300 may be reduced.
[0120] FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit 501 of a memory device according to another embodiment.
[0121] Referring to FIG. 17, the data determination circuit 501 may
include a buffer circuit 510, a comparison circuit 520, a selective
blocking circuit 530, and a reset determination circuit 550c-1.
[0122] The buffer circuit 510 may temporarily store bit line
signals R_BL<0:n> read from the bit lines BL<0:n>. The
buffer circuit 510 may include a SRAM or a register.
[0123] The comparison circuit 520 may generate comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> by comparing data DATA<0:n> and the bit
line signals R_BL<0:n> stored in the buffer circuit 510. In
FIG. 17, the data DATA<0:n> are transferred to the comparison
circuit 520 via a page buffer circuit 440, but embodiments are not
limited thereto. In another embodiment, the data DATA<0:n>
may be directly input to the comparison circuit 520 from the memory
controller 190 illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be input to the
comparison circuit 520 via another circuit in the memory
device.
[0124] The comparison circuit 520 may generate the comparison
signals Com_tri<0:n> according to whether or not the bit line
signals R_BL<0:n> are identical with the data
DATA<0:n>. The bit line signals R_BL<0:n> correspond to
data input to the bit lines BL<0:n> according to a previous
write command WC. The data DATA<0:n> are provided from the
memory controller 190 at this time.
[0125] For example, the comparison circuit 520 may generate the
enabled comparison signals Com_tri<0:n> when the bit line
signals R_BL<0:n> stored in the buffer circuit 510 are
identical with the data DATA<0:n> input from the memory
controller 190.
[0126] The selective blocking circuit 530 may selectively transfer
the data DATA<0:n> to the bit lines BL<0:n> of the
memory cell array 310 in response to the comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n>. The selective blocking circuit 530 may include
a plurality of tri-state gates 531-0 to 531-n that are coupled to
the plurality of page buffers PB0 to PBn, respectively.
[0127] Each of the plurality of tri-state gates 530-1 to 531_n may
be a three-phase buffer circuit. The plurality of tri-state gates
530-1 to 531_n may block the transfer of the data DATA<0:n>
to the bit lines BL<0:n> when the comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> are enabled.
[0128] The plurality of tri-state gates 530-1 to 530-n may transfer
the newly input data DATA<0:n> to the corresponding bit lines
BL<0:n> when the corresponding comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> are disabled.
[0129] For example, the selective blocking circuit 530 may skip an
input operation of the data DATA<0:n> when the bit line
signals R_BL<0:n> are identical with the newly input data
DATA<0:n>. As a result, it is possible to prevent a write
operation, which repeatedly writes the same data into the bit lines
BL<0:n>, from being performed.
[0130] The reset determination circuit 550c-1 may receive the data
DATA<0:n> that have passed the selective blocking circuit 530
and generate the enabled change signal CT_change_R when each of the
data DATA<0:n> has a high level corresponding to the reset
state.
[0131] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit 550c-1 of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment.
The operation of FIG. 18 may be performed between step S1 and step
S2, which are described with reference to FIG. 16.
[0132] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, the memory device 300 may
receive the input data DATA<0:n> from the memory controller
190 (S1).
[0133] The comparison circuit 520 may compare the bit line signals
R_BL<0:n> stored in the buffer circuit 510 and the input data
DATA<0:n> (S11).
[0134] When the bit line signals R_BL<0:n> are identical with
the input data DATA<0:n>, the comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> may be enabled, and thus the selective blocking
circuit 530 may be driven to block the transfer of the input data
DATA<0:n> to the corresponding bit lines BL<0:n>
(S12).
[0135] On the other hand, when the bit line signals R_BL<0:n>
are different from the data DATA<0:n>, the comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> may be disabled, and thus the selective blocking
clock 530 may be driven to transfer the input data DATA<0:n>
to the bit lines BL<0:n> (S13).
[0136] After that, the memory device 300 may proceed to step S2 of
FIG. 16, so that the subsequent operations shown in FIG. 16 are
performed.
[0137] That is, as shown in FIG. 16, it is determined at step S2
whether each of the input data DATA<0:n> transferred through
the selective blocking circuit 530 has a high level corresponding
to the reset state. Then, the subsequent steps S3 to S8 are
selectively performed depending on the determination result.
[0138] FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to another embodiment. FIG. 20 is a circuit
diagram illustrating a set determination circuit of FIG. 19
according to an embodiment.
[0139] Referring to FIG. 19, a data determination circuit 502 may
include a set determination circuit 560, an inversion circuit block
570, a signal selection circuit 580, and an information storage
circuit 590.
[0140] The set determination circuit 560 may receive input data
DATA<0:n> and generate a change signal CT_change_S that is
enabled to a low level (or a high level) when each of the input
data DATA<0:n> has a low level (for example, a set state). In
an embodiment, an input terminal of the set determination circuit
560 may be coupled to the read/write circuit 400 and may receive
the input data DATA<0:n> from the read/write circuit 400, but
embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the set
determination circuit 560 may directly receive the input data
DATA<0:n> from the memory controller 190.
[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 20, the set determination circuit 560
may include a combination of logic gates that are collectively
configured to perform a logic OR operation on the input data
DATA<0:n>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. In
another embodiment, the set determination circuit 560 may include
any circuit configuration that performs a logic OR operation, or
any circuit configuration that performs a logic NOR operation.
[0142] Referring back to FIG. 19, the inversion circuit block 570
may be configured to invert the input data DATA<0:n> and
output the inverted input data /DATA<0:n>. The inversion
circuit block 570 may include a plurality of inverters (not shown)
that are configured to invert the input data DATA<0:n>.
[0143] The signal selection circuit 580 may be configured to select
one of the inverted input data /DATA<0:n> and the input data
DATA<0:n> in response to the change signal CT_change_S. For
example, the signal selection circuit 580 may include a multiplexer
circuit. The data selected by the signal selection circuit 580 may
be input to the bit lines BL<0:n>.
[0144] When the enabled change signal CT_change_S is output from
the set determination circuit 560, the information storage circuit
590 may store information indicating that the inverted input data
/DATA<0:n> are input to the bit lines BL<0:n>. The
information storage circuit 590 may be provided in a separate cache
memory device (not shown) such as a DRAM, or in a storage of the
memory device 300 that is a register, but embodiments are not
limited thereto.
[0145] FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a scheduler 195a of
a memory controller according to another embodiment.
[0146] Referring to FIG. 21, the scheduler 195a may include a time
selection circuit 1912, a timing check circuit 1920, and a command
generation circuit 1930.
[0147] The time selection circuit 1912 may receive the reset write
recovery time tWR_R and the set write recovery time tWR_S, and may
select one of the reset write recovery time tWR_R and the set write
recovery time tWR_S in response to the change signal CT_change_S,
which is generated by, e.g., the set determination circuit 560 in
FIG. 19. In an embodiment, the time selection circuit 1912 may
select the reset write recovery time tWR_R when the enabled change
signal CT_change_S is input.
[0148] In an embodiment, even when each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has a low level and thus the enabled change signal
CT_change_S is generated, the relatively short reset write recovery
time tWR_R may be set as a generation period of a write command
using a data flip operation.
[0149] The timing check circuit 1920 may determine a generation
timing of a write command based on the recovery time tWR_S or tWR_R
output from the time selection circuit 1912. When the enabled
change signal CT_change_S is input, the command generation circuit
1930 may generate a write command WC' in response to a timing
control signal, i.e., the reset write recovery time tWR_R, which is
provided from the timing check circuit 1920.
[0150] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit 502 of FIG. 19 according to an
embodiment.
[0151] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 22, data DATA<0:n> may be
input to the memory device 300 (S1).
[0152] The set determination circuit 560 may determine whether or
not each of the input data DATA<0:n> has the set state (for
example, a low level) (S21). When each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has the set state, the set determination circuit
560 may output the enabled change signal CT_change_S.
[0153] The inverted input data /DATA<0:n>, which is generated
by the inversion circuit block 570, and the input data
DATA<0:n> may be input to the signal selection circuit 580.
The signal selection circuit 580 may transfer the inverted input
data /DATA<0:n> to the bit lines BL<0:n> of the memory
cell array 310 in response to the enabled change signal CT_change_S
(S23). The information storage circuit 590 may store data inversion
information indicating that the inverted input data
/DATA<0:n> are input to the bit lines BL<0:n> of the
memory cell array 310 (S24).
[0154] The enabled change signal CT_change_S may be input to a
scheduler in the memory controller 190, e.g., the scheduler 195a
shown in FIG. 21. The scheduler 195a may set the reset write
recovery time tWR_R as the write recovery time tWR in response to
the enabled change signal CT_change_S (see step S3 of FIG. 16) and
then the memory device 300 may perform subsequent operations, for
example, steps S4 and S5, which are described with reference to
FIG. 16.
[0155] For example, when each of the input data DATA<0:n> has
the set state (i.e., a low level), the data determination circuit
502 may input the inverted input data /DATA<0:n> having a
high level corresponding to the reset state to the bit lines
BL<0:n> of the memory cell array 310, and store the
information indicating that the inverted input data
/DATA<0:n> are input to the bit lines BL<0:n> in the
information storage circuit 590. Then, since, in a read operation,
the data determination circuit 502 may provide data corresponding
to the input data DATA<0:n> to the memory controller 190
using the information stored in the information storage circuit
590, data read errors may be prevented.
[0156] As described above, even if the input data DATA<0:n>
each having the set state are input, the data determination circuit
502 may invert the input data DATA<0:n> and input the
inverted input data /DATA<0:n> to the bit lines
BL<0:n>. Accordingly, even if each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has the set state, a write recovery time
corresponding to a crystallization time for the reset state may be
selected in order to generate a write command, and thus a write
time of the memory device 300 may be reduced.
[0157] On the other hand, when at least one of the data
DATA<0:n> does not have the set state, the data determination
circuit 502 may input the input data DATA<0:n> to the bit
lines BL<0:n> (S25). In some embodiments, when at least one
of the data DATA<0:n> does not have the set state and thus
the change signal CT_change_S is disabled, the memory controller
190 may set the set write recovery time tWR_S as a write recovery
time (S6 of FIG. 16), and may generate a write command WC
corresponding to the set write recovery time tWR_S (S7 of FIG. 16).
The input data DATA<0:n> are input to the bit lines
BL<0:n> (S8 of FIG. 16).
[0158] FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to another embodiment.
[0159] Referring to FIG. 23, a data determination circuit 503 may
include a buffer circuit 510, a comparison circuit 520, a selective
blocking circuit 530, an inversion circuit block 571, a signal
selection circuit 581, a set determination circuit 561, and an
information storage circuit 590.
[0160] As described above with reference to FIG. 17, the buffer
circuit 510 may temporarily store bit line signals R_BL<0:n>,
which are read from the bit lines BL<0:n>.
[0161] The comparison circuit 520 may generate comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> by comparing newly input data DATA<0:n>
and the bit line signals R_BL<0:n> stored in the buffer
circuit 510. In an embodiment, the input data DATA<0:n> are
transferred to the comparison circuit 520 via a page buffer circuit
540, but embodiments are not limited thereto. In other embodiments,
the input data DATA<0:n> may be directly input to the
comparison circuit 520 from the memory controller 190, or may be
input to the comparison circuit 520 via other circuits. The
comparison circuit 520 may generate the enabled comparison signals
Com_tri<0:n> when the bit line signals R_BL<0:n> stored
in the buffer circuit 510 are identical with the data
DATA<0:n> that is newly input from the memory controller
190.
[0162] The selective blocking circuit 530 may include a plurality
of tri-state gates 531-0 to 531-n, and may selectively block the
transfer of the input data DATA<0:n> to the bit line
BL<0:n> of the memory cell array 310 in response to the
comparison signals Com_tri<0:n>.
[0163] When the corresponding comparison signals Com_tri<0:n>
are not enabled, the plurality of tri-state gates 531-0 to 531-n
may transfer the input data DATA<0:n> to the corresponding
bit lines BL<0:n>.
[0164] The inversion circuit block 571 may generate inverted input
data /DATA<0:n> by inverting the input data DATA<0:n>
transferred by the selective blocking circuit 530. The inversion
circuit block 571 may include a plurality of inverters.
[0165] The signal selection circuit 581 may be configured to
receive the input data DATA<0:n> provided from the selective
blocking circuit 530 and the inverted input data /DATA<0:n>
provided from the inversion circuit block 571, and output the input
data DATA<0:n> or the inverted input data /DATA<0:n> in
response to a control signal, for example, the change signal
CT_change_S output from the set determination circuit 561. The
signal selection circuit 581 may include a plurality of
multiplexers MUX.
[0166] The set determination circuit 561 may receive the input data
DATA<0:n> output from the selective blocking circuit 530 and
generate the enabled change signal CT_change_S when each of the
input data DATA<0:n> has the set state, i.e., a low
level.
[0167] The information storage circuit 590 may store information
indicating that the inverted input data /DATA<0:n> are input
to the bit lines BL<0:n> of the memory cell array 310 in
response to the enabled change signal CT_change_S. The information
stored in the information storage circuit 590 may be used as a
control signal for restoring data output in a read operation.
[0168] FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the data
determination circuit 503 of FIG. 23 according to an
embodiment.
[0169] Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the memory device 300 may
receive the input data DATA from the memory controller 190
(S1).
[0170] The comparison circuit 520 may compare the bit line signal
R_BL<0:n>, which is input/output in a previous write and/or
read operation and is stored in the buffer circuit 510, with newly
input data DATA<0:n> (S11).
[0171] When the bit line signal R_BL<0:n> are identical with
the input data DATA<0:n>, the transfer of the input data
DATA<0:n> to the corresponding bit lines BL<0:n> may be
blocked by the selective blocking circuit 530 (S12).
[0172] On the other hand, when the bit line signals R_BL<0:n>
are not identical with the input data DATA<0:n>, the
selective blocking circuit 530 may transfer the input data
DATA<0:n> to the bit lines BL<0:n> of the memory cell
array 310 (S13).
[0173] The set determination circuit 561 may enable the change
signal CT_change_S according to levels of the input data
DATA<0:n> transferred through the selective blocking circuit
530 when each of the input data DATA<0:n> has a low level
(S21). The data determination circuit 503 may perform steps S23 and
S24 of FIG. 22.
[0174] FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a data determination
circuit according to another embodiment.
[0175] Referring to FIG. 25, a data determination circuit 504 may
include a reset determination circuit 552, a set determination
circuit 562, an inversion circuit block 570, a signal selection
circuit 582, an information storage circuit 590, and a change
signal output circuit 595.
[0176] The reset determination circuit 552 may receive data
DATA<0:n> input from the memory controller 190. The reset
determination circuit 552 may generate a first change signal
CT_change_R, which is enabled when each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has a high level (for example, the reset state).
The reset determination circuit 552 may include, for example, a
circuit configured to perform a logic AND operation.
[0177] The set determination circuit 562 may also receive the data
DATA<0:n> input from the memory controller 190. The set
determination circuit 562 may generate a second change signal
CT_change_S enabled when each of the input data DATA<0:n> has
a low level (for example, the set state). The set determination
circuit 562 may include, for example, a circuit configured to
perform a logic OR operation.
[0178] The inversion circuit block 570 may invert the data
DATA<0:n> and output inverted data /DATA<0:n>. The data
DATA<0:n> input to the reset determination circuit 552, the
set determination circuit 562, and the inversion circuit block 570
may be data directly input from the memory controller 190, but
embodiments are not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the
data DATA<0:n> may be input to the reset determination
circuit 552, the set determination circuit 562, and the inversion
circuit block 570 via an arbitrary circuit block that is configured
to receive and process the data DATA<0:n>, such as the
read/write circuit 400 of the memory device 300.
[0179] The signal selection circuit 582 may receive the data
DATA<0:n> and the inverted data /DATA<0:n>, and may
provide a data group selected from the data DATA<0:n> and the
inverted data /DATA<0:n> to the bit lines BL<0:n> of
the memory cell array 310. The signal selection circuit 582 may
receive the first change signal CT_change_R and the second change
signal CT_change_S as control signals. For example, when the first
change signal CT_change_R is enabled, the signal selection circuit
582 may output the data DATA<0:n> to the bit lines
BL<0:n>. On the other hand, when the second change signal
CT_change_S is enabled, the signal selection circuit 582 may output
the inverted data /DATA<0:1> to the bit lines
BL<0:n>.
[0180] When the second change signal CT_change_S is enabled, the
information storage circuit 590 may store information indicating
that the inverted data /DATA<0:n> are transferred to the bit
lines BL<0:n> of the memory cell array 310. Then, in a read
operation, the data determination circuit 504 may invert read data
output from the memory cell array 310 based on the information
stored in the information storage circuit 590, and provide the
inverted read data to the memory controller 190. The information
storage circuit 590 may be included in a separate cache memory
device or in a storage device of a semiconductor memory device such
as a register, but embodiments are not limited thereto.
[0181] The change signal output circuit 595 may receive the first
change signal CT_change_R and the second change signal CT_change_S,
and may output a final change signal CT_change when any one of the
first change signal CT_change and the second change signal
CT_change_S is enabled. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26, the
change signal output circuit 595 may include any circuit configured
to perform a logic operation similar to an exclusive-OR (XOR)
operation.
[0182] FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of the
data determination circuit 504 of FIG. 25 according to an
embodiment.
[0183] Referring to FIGS. 25 and 27, the data DATA<0:n> may
be input to the memory device 300 from the memory controller 190
(S1).
[0184] The data DATA<0:n> input to the memory device 300 may
be input to the reset determination circuit 552, and the reset
determination circuit 552 may determine whether or not all the data
DATA<0:n> have a high level corresponding to the reset state
(S2).
[0185] When each of the data DATA<0:n> has the high level,
the reset determination circuit 552 may output the enabled first
change signal CT_change_R to the signal selection circuit 582 and
to the change signal output circuit 595 (S31). The change signal
output circuit 595 may output the final change signal CT_change in
response to the enabled first change signal CT_change_R. The memory
device 300 may perform an operation of setting the reset write
recovery time tWR_R as the write recovery time tWR in response to
the final change signal CT_change (e.g., S3 of FIG. 16) and may
perform the subsequent operations, e.g., steps S4 and S5 shown in
FIG. 16.
[0186] On the other hand, when at least one of the data
DATA<0:n> does not have the high level, the set determination
circuit 562 may determine whether or not each of the input data
DATA<0:n> has a low level corresponding to the set state
(S21).
[0187] When each of the data DATA<0:n> has the low level, the
set determination circuit 552 may output the enabled second change
signal CT_change_S to the signal selection circuit 482, the
information storage circuit 590, and the change signal output
circuit 595 (S33). As the second change signal CT_change_S is
enabled, the change signal output circuit 595 may output the final
change signal CT_change for setting the reset write recovery time
tWR_R as the write recovery time tWR (S33). In an embodiment, the
data determination circuit 504 may sequentially perform steps S23
and S24 of FIG. 22 while the reset write recovery time tWR_R is set
as the write recovery time tWR. In another embodiment, the data
determination circuit 504 may sequentially perform steps S23 and
S24 of FIG. 22 after the reset write recovery time tWR_R is set as
the write recovery time tWR.
[0188] When the input data DATA<0:n> have both the low level
and the high level, the data determination circuit 504 may
sequentially perform step S25 of FIG. 22 and the subsequent steps,
e.g., steps S6 to S8 of FIG. 16.
[0189] At this time, in an embodiment, omitting an input for a
portion of the data DATA<0:n> may be added between step S1
and step S2 when the previously input data R_BL<0:n> are
identical with the newly input data DATA<0:n>, as illustrated
in FIG. 18.
[0190] In an embodiment, the reset determination circuit 552 may
operates before the set determination circuit 562 operates.
However, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the operation (S21) of the set
determination circuit 562 may be performed before the operation
(S2) of the reset determination circuit 552. At this time, the
embodiment of omitting input for a portion of the data
DATA<0:n> may be applied between step S1 and step S21 when
the previously input data R_BL<0:n> are identical with the
newly provided data DATA<0:n>, as illustrated in FIG. 18.
[0191] FIGS. 29 and 30 are a block diagram illustrating a memory
controller and a memory device in a semiconductor memory system
according to another embodiment.
[0192] Referring to FIG. 29, a semiconductor memory system 1000A
may include a memory controller 190A configured to output a test
mode signal TM and a memory device 300A configured to perform a
test operation in response to the test mode signal TM.
[0193] To perform the test operation, the memory controller 190A
may output the test mode signal TM in a command form to the memory
device 300A.
[0194] The memory device 300A may include a data generation circuit
600 configured to generate data DATA<0:n> so that a set state
or a reset state is written in each of the memory cells in response
to the test mode signal TM. The memory device 300A may further
include a data determination circuit 500, which receives the data
DATA<0:n> generated by the data generation circuit 600 and
generates a change signal CT_change_Tm for changing a
crystallization timing according to levels of the data
DATA<0:n>. The data determination circuit 500 may have any
one configuration selected from among the configurations described
in FIGS. 10, 11, 12, 17, 19, 23, and 25.
[0195] The memory controller 190A may include a scheduler 196 that
outputs a write command WC'', in order to perform the test
operation in which a write recovery time is controlled in response
to the change signal CT_change_Tm generated by the data
determination circuit 500.
[0196] In this embodiment, the data generation circuit 600 is
installed in the memory device 300B, but the data generation
circuit 600 may be included in a memory controller 190B as
illustrated in FIG. 30.
[0197] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a driving method of the
semiconductor memory systems that are illustrated in FIGS. 29 and
30.
[0198] Referring to FIG. 31, the memory controller 190A or 190B may
output the test mode signal TM to the data generation circuit 600,
in order to test the memory device 300A or 300B (S40).
[0199] The data generation circuit 600 may generate data
DATA<0:n>, which is suitable for the test operation, in
response to the test mode signal TM (S41).
[0200] The data DATA<0:n> may be input to the data
determination circuit 500, and the data determination circuit 500
may perform an operation (S2 or S21) to selectively change a write
recovery time tWR of a write command according to states of the
data DATA<0:n>.
[0201] According to an embodiment, when each of the data
DATA<0:n> has the reset state or the set state, a write
command generation period may be reduced based on a reset write
recovery time tWR_R, and thus a write time of the memory device
300A or 300B may be reduced.
[0202] The above described embodiments of the present invention are
intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention.
Various alternatives and equivalents are possible. The invention is
not limited by the embodiments described herein. Nor is the
invention limited to any specific type of semiconductor device.
Other additions, subtractions, or modifications are obvious in view
of the present disclosure and are intended to fall within the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *